Monday, June 28, 2010

There's a happy sense of joy about snapping the thin crisp disc of pappadum into jagged shards, surveying the little pots of cucumber and yoghurt raita,mango chutney and tomato and onion kachumber set in front of you. The biggest decision is which one to eat first, and next, and more of, and more.

After eating at Aki's in Woolloomooloo, I'm curious to check out its older and less more traditional sibling Abhi's in North Strathfield. The stretch of shops is short here. We walk past two big-name pizza outlets operating side-by-side before we push open the door to the ambient surrounds of Abhi's.

There's no spectacular view, no gentle lapping of water and no squawking seagulls overhead. Instead we find a dining that's surprisingly busy, mostly families or groups of friends, a few couples seated by the wall, their attention solely on the food and the company.

Bhindi jaipuri $18.80

I'm tempted to order the palak patta chaat I'd adored at Aki's, but in the interests of further research we order the bhindi jaipuri from the Specials menu instead. Described as "crispy okra fingers", I expect to whole okra but am surprised to find them sliced into lengths and deep-fried. The batter, made with rice flour and chickpea flour, is crunchy and spiced and the dish is initially addictive but a little too oily by the time we've snacked on half the plate. I do find myself wishing I could have bitten into a whole okra so I could relish the slight stickiness of the seeds inside.

Mixed tandoori platter $24.80

The mixed tandoori platter is a popular option this evening, appearing on several tables around us. Seekh kebabs are a mixture of lamb mince with black cumin seeds, mace, ginger, black pepper, coriander and fresh green chillies.

I prefer the hariyali chops, lamb cutlets marinated in pureed spinach, coriander, chickpea flour and green chillies. The meat is tender and coaxing it from the bone is a satisfying task.

Chicken tikka is a little drier off the bone, but there's plenty of flavour in the free range fillets, marinated in yoghurt with mace and ginger and cooked in the tandoor until the edges have caramelised.

Goa fish curry $24.80

A gentle prod with a fork proves that the barramundi fillets in the Goa fish curry are perfectly cooked. The sauce, thick and creamy with coconut, is fragrant with coriander, cumin and turmeric. The fish flakes easily and we mop up the sauce with basmati rice and torn bits of garlic naan, fluffy with a crisp edge on the bottom.

Plain basmati rice $2.90 per person

Garlic naan $3.50

Ennai kathrikai $17.80

Our vegetarian dishes are the last to arrive and I enjoy these the most. Ennai kathrikai consists of fat chunks of young eggplant, smoky and unctious, served in a spicy cashew and peanut coconut sauce. Thick slices of banana chile provide crunch.

Paneer pasanda $17.80

Paneer is always a favourite. We find generous wads of this homemade cotttage cheese in the paneer pasanda. The mild cheese takes on all the flavours of the sauce, a combination of cashews, tomatoes, onion and cumin hiding slices of green capsicum.

The layering of spices is impressive in all of our dishes, and we take our time to contrast and appreciate the complexity of each one.

Double-ka-meetha $10.80

The double-ka-meetha, we are told, is a regal dessert that is an essential part of every Hyderabadi wedding, a city and former state known for its obsession with fine food. Two triangles of bread are fried and then soaked in a syrup of rosewater, honey and cardamom.

Essentially a bread pudding, there's a slightly oily aftertaste that's helped by the scoop of rose petal ice cream that is light and refreshing. A small adornment of edible leaf is a decadent touch.

Gulam jamun $10.80

Gulab jamun are quite large in size, but oddly served already sliced in half. It means they're not as swollen or heavy with syrup, but the milk dumplings are still rich and satisfying, spiced with cardamom and sprinkled with pistachio.

Chai tea is the ideal drink to complete our meal and aid digestion, stronger in brew than the we'd had at Aki's, and aromatic with cinnamon, cloves, star anise and ginger. It's a soothing finish to dinner where the only breeze you'll find here is the ease of parking. Always a good thing.

> Don't forget to check out Freebie Friday this week for a dining giveaway at Aki's Indian Restaurant.

While everything looks liek spicy tasty goodness, I can't get past the okra. (In a good way.) I've tried cooking with okra twice: once I liked it, and the other time the mucus-y texture got to me (in the bad way).

I'd so love to try a fried spicy okra version cooked by people who know what they're doing! (I.e., not me :P)

I've always wanted to go to Abhi's, but I always end up going to 'my' usual Indian place in Homebush! I love the sound of the Ennai kathrikai - it's got everything I love from the eggplant to the cashew nuts - yum :D

double ka meetha is also a popular dessert back in Bangladesh but it is known as Shahi Tukra...Shahi means royal while tukra means piece...it's indeed a royal dish with all its ghee, cream, and garnishes of safforn, pistachios, almonds and raisin

Oh wow that's alot of dishes to try! We had two curries and rice plus naan between the two of us and were completely stuffed! That and we only had limited dining time without a booking so had to finish quickly.

Hi Miss Dissent - I think they both offer different experiences so it's hard to say. Loved the view at Aki's and the menu is quite extensive. Abhi's is much more convenient for parking though - I'd probably see myself going to Abhi's more often only because of ease of access.